Post by poldySeems to affect XP and older OSes. Looks like MS made an exception andreleased security updates for these older OSes that they had officiallystopped supporting.

I use two machines running XP and have no problem. Several years ago Iinstalled CryptoPrevent, which blocks installation of certain files in no-noareas, and I also run an early version of ZoneAlarm (before all the bellsand whistles of later versions made it into sludge). All new programs andnew versions of old programs that want to talk to the internet will cause ZAto pop up a dialog box asking if I want to grant permission to that program.On one of my machines I test all kinds of stuff that could invite malware,given that I remove malware for a living. I do not have any problemswhatsoever.

So, anybody who is prudent with their protections will not have a problem,even running XP.

Post by David KayeI use two machines running XP and have no problem. Several years ago Iinstalled CryptoPrevent, which blocks installation of certain files in no-noareas...

I just wanted to mumble that the free version of CryptoPrevent doesNOT block ransomware. See feature list below:<https://www.foolishit.com/cryptoprevent-malware-prevention/>

Post by David KayeSo, anybody who is prudent with their protections will not have a problem,even running XP.

Between my assorted machines, and my customers, I would guess(tm) thatI maintain at least 25 XP and 4 Vista machines. No problems yet. Mypartial solution to such problems is to run regular image backups ofeverything.

Post by Jeff LiebermannI just wanted to mumble that the free version of CryptoPrevent does<https://www.foolishit.com/cryptoprevent-malware-prevention/>

I mistyped here. I have a paid CryptoPrevent version and a free Zone Alarmversion.

Post by Jeff LiebermannBetween my assorted machines, and my customers, I would guess(tm) thatI maintain at least 25 XP and 4 Vista machines. No problems yet. Mypartial solution to such problems is to run regular image backups ofeverything.

This is fine if the image backups (or file backups) are manual, but ifthey're automatic, the backup can be infected as well, if it happened afterthe ransomware was installed. My customers don't remember or don't care todo manual backups, so I set them up with automatic backups. I alsoencourage them to keep their original program copies in a safe place and toback up crucial data to a memory stick or cloud (in addition to theirautomatic backups).

I have had only 2 customers with ransomware (back about 2 or 3 years ago),and both were the kind of folks who will download and install anything thatpretends to "fix" or "speed up" their computers. One of them I won't evendeal with anymore because I had to re-install Windows twice and they startedgriping about the cost of my time.

Post by royA new attack via ransomware. Make sure you have updated your softwarehttps://gizmodo.com/today-s-massive-ransomware-attack-was-mostly-preventabl-1795179984

Seems to affect XP and older OSes. Looks like MS made an exception andreleased security updates for these older OSes that they had officiallystopped supporting.

I read an article that said that Microsoft is actually still supportingXP, but only the version they sell to embedded users and for servers,and that they will support until 2019. There is registry change to makeMicrosoft think you're running XP-E.

Post by smsI read an article that said that Microsoft is actually still supportingXP, but only the version they sell to embedded users and for servers, andthat they will support until 2019. There is registry change to makeMicrosoft think you're running XP-E.

There is a LOT of XP out there. Nearly every gas station, most point ofsale systems (unless they're running Linux), electronic signs, it's allover. XP is a very stable OS. Now, for my main machine I turned off XPupdates ages ago. No problems with malware or ransomware.